Baltimore County – Eastern Technical High SchoolEastern Technical High is a very high achieving school with a population that includes 20% economically disadvantaged students. The school’s HSA reading proficiency scores in 2009 were 99.7% and math proficiency was 100%. It has maintained a record of high achievement for over a decade, having originally been named a Maryland Blue Ribbon School in 1997. The school has been named by Newsweek Magazine (3 years in a row) and US News & World Report (2 years in a row) as being in the “Top 5% of all High Schools.” It has a 100% pass rate on the High School Assessments for the past three years for all subgroups, has an average daily attendance of 97.3%, and a 100% highly qualified faculty. The school’s AP participation has increased by 400% in the last 7 years and the student pass rate is 81%. In addition, 85% of all students are enrolled in rigorous courses and 81% of all minority students are enrolled in these rigorous courses

Calvert County – Northern Middle School - Highest AchievementNorthern Middle exemplifies high achievement with 8th grade students scoring 94.9% proficient and above in reading and 93.7% in math. Foreign language is emphasized with 52% of students completing two full years of Spanish or French. In math, 35% of students complete Algebra I by the end of the 8th grade and 25% complete Algebra II. Over the course of four years, 99.5 percent of Algebra learners passed the HSA. The school is a Washington Post grant recipient for its math tutoring program. Northern Middle teachers helped construct the State Curriculum toolkit and participated in Modified MSA standard setting. It is a PBIS silver school and a school proud of champion women’s basketball and softball teams. Northern Middle also offers students opportunities in the performing arts, including talent and variety shows, stage production, drama, and performance based competitions.

Frederick County – New Market Elementary School - Highest AchievementWith 100% of its students proficient and above in 5th grade reading, including special education students, and 96.2% in mathematics, New Market Elementary School is home to the current Frederick County Teacher of the Year and to The Green Team – a group of students and teachers who initiated a successful composting program which fertilizes a garden of fruits and vegetables for the local food banks. The school also has 275 parent volunteers, representing over half the student population. Health and fitness are emphasized. Students exercise each morning before school and teachers incorporate movement into their daily routine as a part of assessment and instruction. New Market, a professional development school with Mount St. Mary’s University, earned a superior rating on custodial operations and cleanliness in 2009. Staff members play on a traveling floor hockey, kickball and basketball team.

Howard County – Ellicott Mills Middle SchoolWith 8th grade MSA scores in reading at 95.9% and math at 92.8%, Ellicott Mills Middle is a high achieving middle school. It won NAACP’s Certificate of Excellence in Reading, Math, and Attendance as well as the Maryland School Performance Award for Outstanding Achievement. It is a Professional Development School and has an accomplished music performance program. Ellicott Mills Middle is a leader in parent involvement. It was named a National PTA School of Excellence and was honored with the Howard County Middle School Parent Teacher Collaboration Award. Other community awards include the Kids Care Katrina Campaign and the Hoops and Volleyball for Heart Campaign. Teachers have been named the New Middle School Teacher of the Year, Music Educator of the Year, Technology Educator of the Year, and Howard County Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year

Wicomico County – Northwestern Elementary SchoolNorthwestern Elementary, a school with 51% of its students on Free and Reduced Priced Meals, has student achievement at high standards with 5th grade reading and 5th grade math scores both at 94.4%. The school received a Maryland School Performance Recognition Award in 2008 for increasing its subgroup performance on the MSA. Northwestern Elementary is a professional learning community school with all teachers, coaches, and administrators discussing student data on a weekly basis. Northwestern has implemented unique methods for reading and math which have helped reduce the number of students needing Special Education services. It has also increased PTA membership this year by 33% and significantly increased the number of community volunteers that assist teacher. Northwestern is also proud of its innovative art, music, and physical education departments which take the lead in numerous county programs.

Contact Information

Dr. Darla Strouse, Executive Director

Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools Program Partnerships and Recognition ProgramsMaryland State Department of Education